Incident Overview
A pilot flying a visual flight rules (VFR) approach to a non-controlled airport intended to perform a full-stop landing. After entering the traffic pattern on the downwind leg, the pilot continued around to the landing phase. However, the landing gear was not extended before touchdown, causing the airplane to land with the gear retracted.
Damage and Pilot Actions
The gear-up landing resulted in substantial damage, specifically to a fuselage bulkhead. The pilot reported having a checklist in his lap during the approach but stated that he became distracted and did not reference it. The pilot's distraction prevented him from completing the landing gear extension procedure.
Operational Context
The destination airport was non-controlled, meaning no air traffic control services were available to provide landing guidance or gear checks. The pilot was operating under visual flight rules and had planned a normal traffic pattern entry. The failure to lower the gear occurred despite the pilot's intention to make a full-stop landing.